A concise presentation of BAF's activities over the last four years ending on Dec 2008BAF Achievements 2005 - 2008:
• Organized the first and largest touring exhibition of International Photography in Kerala, India. ( 2005)
• Sponsored seven international photo-art exhibitions
• Sponsored the first exhibition of Platinum Prints (By Herbert Ascherman Jr.) in India. (2005)
• Organized over 25 photographic exhibitions in schools and colleges in Kerala with special emphasis on Nature and Natural History Education that were viewed by over 50,000 students.
• Sponsored two photographic seminars, more than a dozen slide shows and Lectures on Photography in various parts of the state.
• Presented about a dozen Nature-Awareness classes for school and college students
• Photo-documentation of butterflies of six wildlife sanctuaries of KeralaConservancy Achievements 2005 - 2008:
• Discovery of many endangered species of butterflies by the BAF researchers Dr.Unni Krishnan Pulikkal and Dr.Biju C.R in Athirappilly Forests, Thrissur, which sparked off a discussion on the feasibility of the proposed Hydro-electric Project at the area.
• BAF researchers Dr.George Mathew and Dr.Unni Krishnan Pulikkal documented, for the first time in recorded history, the life cycle of – the Palm King (Amathusia phidippus) an endemic and endangered butterfly of Western Ghats
• Participated in the design and implementation of Butterfly Gardens of Nilambur, Peechi and Thenmala done by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur
• Designed and implemented the first School-Butterfly Garden of Kerala in MES Public School at Vemballur near Kodungallur, ThrissurCultural Achievements 2005 - 2008
• Initiated a cultural exchange program with the DANCEVERT of USA in which they presented the contemporary American Dance in Thrissur, the Cultural Capital of Kerala.
• Produced a short film "An ode to My Mother", based on the theme Nature and Man. The film, directed by Mr.Pradeep Kumar Menon, an alumni of FFTI Pune, won entry to the prestigious 'Vatavaran' Film Festival, New Delhi
• Conducted a state level seminar on the Aesthetics of contemporary Photography at Thrissur with lecture demonstrations by TNA Perumal FRPS and Vijayakumar Menon
• First Kerala (India) screening of the Projected Image Exhibition of Photography by The Royal Photographic Society of London
• The ultimate goal of the organization is to create a generation who loves art, cares for Nature and respects humanity. With this motto in mind, the BAF has designed and launched a unique project called ECLOSION: the Art of Refinement. Eclosioin is a comprehensive program targeted at the students of schools and colleges. In this yearlong program, students are presented with Art & Photographic Exhibitions, classes on aesthetics, Nature exhibitions, seminars on Nature awareness and Conservation, screening of documentaries, field trips to wildlife sanctuaries, construction of butterfly garden in the campus etc. This program includes the formation of Nature & Art clubs in schools. It also involves the marketing of traditional works of art and crafts by village women through the clubs with an aim of supporting the empowerment of village women and artisans.
